Head of Risk & Compliance

SMEP Microfinance Bank is seeking a seasoned and principled risk professional to take up the position of Head of Risk & Compliance. Reporting functionally to the Board of Directors and administratively to the Chief Executive Officer, this senior leadership role carries full responsibility for ensuring that all material risks across the Bank are systematically identified, assessed, monitored, and reported in alignment with the Bank's mission, regulatory obligations, and approved Risk Appetite Statement (RAS).

Beyond technical expertise, the successful candidate will be expected to embody and uphold the Bank's Christian identity, demonstrating spiritual leadership and ethical conduct in all interactions. This is a strategic, board-facing role that places the right candidate at the heart of SMEP's governance and long-term resilience agenda.

• Lead, supervise, and develop the Risk Management Department, setting performance targets and ensuring delivery of departmental objectives.
• Serve as the primary risk advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership, and Board of Directors on all risk-related matters.
• Prepare and deliver timely, accurate, and audience-appropriate risk reports to the Board, Senior Management, Risk Owners, and regulatory bodies.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve the Bank's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework in line with strategic objectives, HOPE International standards, and CBK regulatory expectations.
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, and prudential guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and other relevant authorities.
• Monitor regulatory developments and emerging compliance requirements, advising the CEO and Board Committees on implications and required remedial actions.
• Collaborate with IT and Digital Banking teams to identify, assess, and mitigate technology risks including cybersecurity threats, data protection gaps, system reliability issues, and digital service continuity vulnerabilities.
• Partner with all business units and support functions to identify and mitigate financial and operational risks including process failures, internal control weaknesses, fraud exposure, and people-related risks.
• Champion a strong compliance culture and ethical conduct across the Bank through structured training programmes, internal communications, and continuous staff engagement.
• Coordinate business continuity planning and disaster recovery preparedness across the organisation.

• Demonstrate at least 8–10 years of progressive experience in risk management, internal audit, compliance, or financial management within a regulated financial institution — with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership or managerial capacity.
• Apply deep working knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management frameworks including COSO and ISO 31000, as well as Basel II & III requirements.
• Translate complex regulatory requirements from the Central Bank of Kenya and other bodies into actionable compliance programmes and internal policies.
• Lead cross-functional risk identification and mitigation exercises across operational, financial, technology, and people domains.
• Produce board-level risk reports that are clear, evidence-based, and strategically oriented.
• Manage and develop a risk team, setting clear KPIs and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Engage confidently with regulators, auditors, and board committees as the Bank's authoritative voice on risk and compliance matters.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Statistics, or a related field; a Master's degree and/or professional certifications such as FRM, CRISC, CFE, CPA, or ACCA will be a distinct advantage.

SMEP Microfinance Bank offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the seniority and scope of this role. Based on market benchmarks for senior banking leadership in Kenya, the estimated monthly package ranges from KES 350,000 to KES 600,000, inclusive of base salary and applicable allowances. The Bank also provides a values-driven work environment with opportunities for professional development.

This role is ideal for a risk and compliance professional who combines strong technical expertise with strategic thinking and genuine ethical conviction. You are someone who thrives in a governance-focused environment, can operate effectively at board level, and is comfortable navigating the regulatory landscape of Kenya's microfinance and banking sector. Candidates who share or respect SMEP's Christian organisational values will find this environment particularly rewarding.

This role is NOT suitable for: candidates with fewer than 8 years of relevant experience, those without prior exposure to regulated financial institutions, or individuals seeking a purely operational or back-office compliance role with no board or executive interaction.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application using the reference code HR & C/06/26 in their application. Prepare a detailed CV, copies of relevant academic and professional certificates, and a cover letter demonstrating how your experience aligns with this role. Submit your application through SMEP Microfinance Bank's official recruitment channels or as directed in their careers portal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. SMEP Microfinance Bank is an equal-opportunity employer.